Initiatives include exploring competitive air freight options and speeding up customs procedures
The discussion centered on the sector’s key challenges, with participants working toward practical solutions to lower trade costs, speed up shipment movement, and build more resilient supply chains.
Representatives from Emirates SkyCargo, flydubai, dnata, DP World, the Dubai Maritime Authority, Dubai Chamber, and the Emirates Shipping Association took part in the meeting, alongside construction materials traders and representatives and Dubai Customs—enabling direct dialogue among the various parties involved in the shipping process.
According to Dubai Customs data, the number of customs declarations for construction materials reached approximately 1.57mn in 2025, while the first half of 2026 recorded around 646,623 declarations—reflecting the sector’s continued active trade movement and its importance within Dubai’s trade ecosystem.
Solutions
During the meeting, traders discussed sea freight costs and insurance. The meeting also addressed opportunities to make greater use of air freight, particularly given rising sea freight costs and the shifting cost-time equation across different modes of transport.
Traders discussed the potential for more competitive rates on shipments arriving from China via Emirates SkyCargo, in light of some construction materials companies’ need for faster supply and shorter shipment lead times.
These measures confirm that Dubai Customs’ partnership with the business community goes beyond listening to challenges, extending to the development of practical, flexible responses that support companies in facing change, supporting trade continuity and strengthening Dubai’s competitiveness as a global hub for trade and logistics services.
